Crash Course in French Gestures

Faire la Bise• La bise or le bisoumeans kiss.

The French exchangeair kisses on each cheek to greet each other hello.

Bof

• This gesture has a number of meanings:

• It’s not my fault• I don’t know• I doubt it• I don’t agree

Se Serrer la Main

• The French shake hands upon meeting someone for the first time; usually in a business setting upon both arrival and departure.

• The handshakeis both quick and light.

Se Serrer la Main Encore

• If hands are full or dirty, the French may offer an elbow or a finger instead.

Un, Deux, Trois

• When counting on the fingers, the thumb is one, the index finger two, and the middle finger three etc.

Un Deux Trois

Un, Deux, Trois Encore

• But, even if the thumb is not shown, the French always count it as one. So, for example, when you are at a restaurant and you ask for two pieces of pizza and you use your index and middle fingers the waiter will return with three pieces of pizza!

Faire la Moue

• The French pout is a common French facial gesture which expresses discontent, disdain, disgust... just about any negative emotion.

• To faire la moue, push your lips out and bring them back in, kind of like a quick pucker up to a kiss. A bored expression on the face is a common accompaniment.

J’ai du Nez

• To indicate that you are clever, tap your nose with your index finger and say one of the following:

J’ai du nez J’ai le nez fin J’ai du flair

Du Fric

• To indicate that you need money or that something is expensive, hold out your hand with your fingers and thumb touching, and rub your thumb across your fingertips. The gesture alone will send the message, but you can also say, “Du fric!” or “C’est pas donné!”